Biography: Howard Dean

Former Governor of Vermont
Former Chair, Democratic National Committee
Founder, Democracy for America

Governor Howard Dean MD served six terms as the 79th Governor of Vermont from 1991 – 2003. During his tenure as governor, he worked to balance the state budget and expand the Dr. Dynasaur program that provides healthcare for children and pregnant women in the state of Vermont. In 2004 he ran for the Democratic presidential nomination, and his grassroots focus and innovative use of internet media established a ground-breaking approach to campaign fundraising. Later that year, he founded Democracy for America, an organization that provides resources to advance progressive issues and support democratic candidates. In 2005 he was elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee. As head of the DNC, he pioneered the 50 State Strategy that sought to elect democrats in traditionally republican states. This strategy quickly proved successful in 2006, President Barack Obama’s campaign adopted the strategy in 2008, and it remains the dominant strategy of the DNC today. Before becoming governor, he served the state of Vermont as a state representative and as lieutenant governor under Richard A. Snelling. He earned his undergraduate degree at Yale University and his medical degree in the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University; he completed his residency at the University of Vermont and established a private practice in Shelburne.